Five superhero films we can't wait to watch in 2022

From 'The Batman' to 'Thor: Love and Thunder', 2022 looks like a promising year for comic book lovers

If the immense success of Spider-Man: No Way Home is any indication, audiences love a good superhero flick. With fans remaining relatively deprived of big-budget Marvel and DC cinematic adventures due to Covid, with the exception of a few titles such as Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Venom: Let There be Carnage, in addition to the latest Spider-Man film, 2021 was mostly an uneventful year for comic book lovers. However, 2022 comes with the promise of a host of films about caped crusaders and crime-fighting superpowered vigilantes set to hit cinemas throughout the year. Here are our top five picks for which superhero films you should look forward to in 2022.

‘The Batman’

US release date: March 4

One of the most highly anticipated DC releases in recent times, this new iteration of Gotham’s Dark Knight has had fans squealing with excitement. The film features Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne AKA Batman, with Zoe Kravitz playing the role of Selina Kyle AKA Catwoman. The main villain of the film is Paul Dano’s Riddler, with Collin Farrel set to play The Penguin. The trailer also features a face-off between Batman and Catwoman, as well as clips of the two forming an alliance and fighting off the Riddler’s army together.

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

US release date: May 6

The film is a follow-up to the 2016 Doctor Strange, which introduced Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme. The sequel will be helmed by Sam Raimi of the original Spider-Man trilogy spanning 2002-2007. The trailer for Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange trying to contain the effects of the spell he cast in Spider-Man: No Way Home which tampered with the delicate fabric of space and time. The film will also feature Wanda Maximoff AKA Scarlet Witch played by Elizabeth Olsen. 

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

US release date: July 8

Helmed by returning director Taika Waiti, the film sees Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman returning to their roles as the titular Avenger, Valkyrie, and Jane Foster, the future Mighty Thor respectively. British actor Christian Bale is set to play the villain Gorr the God Butcher in the fourth film of the franchise. According to the comics, after Gorr’s entire family dies, he inherits supernatural powers and vows to destroy all gods as revenge for not saving his family instead. He has a history of brawls with both Thor and Loki.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)’

US release date: October 7

The sequel to the highly successful Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will follow Miles Morales AKA Spider-Man coming into contact with Miguel O’ hara AKA Spider-Man 2099, voiced by Oscar Isaac, who appeared in the first film’s post-credits scene. He will also face off against a new enemy with the Spider gang, along with Gwen Stacy.  Into the Spider-Verse was a massive success, gathering a total of $375.5 million worldwide, earning Sony Animation its first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.  The sequel will be directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K Thompson. 

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

US release date: November 11

The sequel to the superhit Black Panther film appears to be in some trouble after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who played the masked superhero in the first film. With debates over the recasting of the role and rumours about Letitia Wright, who plays King T’Challa AKA Black Panther’s sister Shuri, exiting the production, Marvel will have to figure out a way to get the sequel to audiences without compromising on quality.